‘The People Here are So Welcoming’: Impressions of Dr. Leon Moosavi to UIII

Dr. Leon Moosavi, a distinguished British expert in decolonial methodologies from the University of Liverpool, UK, recently visited Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) as part of a decolonial writing workshop funded by the British Academy. His visit was much anticipated, and he shared his first impressions of the campus, the environment, the people, and the university’s future potential.

"It's my first time to come here to UIII," Dr. Moosavi said. He expressed genuine admiration for UIII’s campus, noting its beauty and design. “I was really impressed with the campus. It's a beautiful campus. It’s nice to see all of the space that you have. The buildings are really nicely designed and well-constructed."

For Dr. Moosavi, the significance of a well-designed campus goes beyond aesthetics. "The built environment that you work in and study in has an impact on how you feel about the scholarship that you're producing," he explained. Both students and staff, he emphasized, would benefit from such a setting, fostering not only intellectual growth but also a sense of belonging and inspiration.

In addition to the stunning campus, Dr. Moosavi was particularly impressed by the welcoming atmosphere at UIII. He shared his appreciation for the warm reception he received from the faculty, particularly the Faculty of Education. “Everybody was really welcoming and very enthusiastic to help us and to share with us what they’re working on,” he said.

In particular, Dr. Moosavi extended his gratitude to Professor Nina Nurmila, Dean of UIII Faculty of Education, who played a central role in facilitating his visit. “It’s an honor to be here,” he remarked, acknowledging the efforts of those who took the time to show him around, answer his questions, and provide him with a thorough understanding of the university's offerings.

As for UIII’s future, Dr. Moosavi sees great potential for growth and expansion. "I can see a lot of potential here at UIII," he noted. He expressed excitement for what lies ahead, envisioning the number of students growing and the campus evolving. "When I come back next time, I'm expecting the number of students to have grown. The campus might grow, and I think we might even see more cats than what we already saw," he joked. "I think there should be more animals on campuses," he said with a laugh.

Dr. Moosavi’s visit was part of a decolonial writing workshop, funded by British Academy, in equipping early-career scholars with the skills to navigate and challenge academic structures that often marginalize voices from the Global South. His positive impression is a testament to UIII’s growing international reputation and its commitment to fostering academic excellence in a dynamic and inclusive environment.

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